Bearwood Lakes

Few private clubs in Berkshire carry the quiet prestige of Bearwood Lakes. Opened in 1996 and designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, the course was carved through ancient heathland and mature woodland on the former Bearwood Estate, a landscape steeped in Victorian history. The design leans into the natural terrain — fairways thread between stands of birch and pine, with several holes framing the estate's lakes as genuine strategic hazards rather than decorative flourishes. It earned a reputation quickly, appearing in various top-100 GB&I rankings and attracting a membership that values both quality and exclusivity.

The course plays to a genuine championship test, demanding precise positioning off the tee and confident approach play into greens that reward the correct angle. The par 3s in particular have drawn consistent praise for their variety and visual drama.

Wokingham sits in commuter-belt Berkshire, but Bearwood's grounds feel deliberately removed from that world — the estate setting lends the round an unhurried, almost timeless atmosphere that members clearly return for.